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Make your own stand-up desk Background information on stand-up desks

• Stand-up desks have become a popular option to reduce the amount of time people sit throughout their

workday • Note that it’s not recommended to either sit or stand for a long period of time – the best option is to

alternate between the two o In fact, it’s suggested that you get up and move around for a few minutes every 20-30 minutes

throughout your day o Even if you’re not willing/able to do this, a stand-up desk is good motivation to switch things

up periodically throughout the day • Note that pre-made stand-up desks may be very expensive ($300+)

o Here, we give you some ideas for creating your own (cheaper) stand-up desk

• This document was prepared Dec. 6, 2015 by Dr. Megan Olson Hunt (olsonhum@uwgb.edu) • For questions about ergonomics and/or workplace health and safety, contact Jill Fermanich

(fermanij@uwgb.edu) Ergonomics of a stand-up (and sitting!) desk

• Online, you can find diagrams about how to correctly set-up either a standing or sitting desk:

http://www.victoriamassagetherapy.ca/userfiles/image/Ergonomics.jpg Some resources for making your own stand-up desk

• Again, you can find many ideas online – here are a couple, both of which have been used by UWGB

faculty! • Below I mention an extra monitor, keyboard and mouse

o CIT here on campus has monitors for sale at reasonable prices. Contact your ADA or CIT to inquire. Prices are given at: https://uknowit.uwgb.edu/page.php?id=37216

o Wireless keyboards and mice (which can often be purchased as a set) are available through Amazon, e.g., at reasonable prices

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Desk #1: Just use/make a small table!

• A table placed on top of your current desk that fits your monitor and keyboard works wonders o Also allow extra space (at the front and sides) for books, papers, etc., and also for moving your

mouse around • You can always put the monitor on a few books to raise it to the correct level if needed • To be able to quickly transition between standing and sitting, you can do what’s shown here:

http://lifehacker.com/5929765/make-yourself-a-standing-desk-this-weekend

o You’ll need: § One hard drive § Two monitors § One “regular” mouse and keyboard (those that came with your computer) § One wireless mouse and keyboard

o The set-up: § Decide where to put your hard drive (usually easiest to put at sitting desk location, due

to the wires) § One monitor goes where you’ll sit, the other where you’ll stand (both hooked up to your

one hard drive) § Use the “regular” mouse and keyboard at your sitting desk (again, due to wires and

needing to plug them into the hard drive) § Use wireless mouse and keyboard at your standing desk § Change the settings of monitors so that they both display the same thing (IT can help

you with that if needed) § To conserve energy and batteries: When sitting, turn off your standing monitor,

keyboard and mouse; when standing, turn off sitting monitor

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• Here’s a nice “use what you have” option: a crate, books and some wood:

http://erinrwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/standing-desk-1.jpg

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Desk #2: Repurpose Ikea furniture

• Instructions: http://iamnotaprogrammer.com/Ikea-Standing-desk-for-22-dollars.html

• This version has a longer keyboard shelf:

http://elishome.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/standing-desk-table-wood-board-monitor-laptop-keyboard.jpg